Red Flag heats up and remembering a shuttle landing at White Sands
Wargames over the desert provide unique training and remembering the shuttles only landing at White Sands Space Harbor in 1982
Nellis is the best place on Earth to simulate ‘tomorrow’s’ fight''
-Col. David Stamps, 366th Operations Group commander
Mission Briefing
Imagine the skies above Nevada roaring to life as the latest chapter in aerial dominance unfolded during Red Flag 24-2. From March 11 to 24, 2024, the Nevada desert wasn't just a backdrop for an ordinary training exercise; it transformed into a high-octane arena where the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps joined forces with the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Together, they embarked on an exhilarating journey to redefine the future of aerial combat.
This wasn't just any training drill. Red Flag 24-2 emerged as a critical nexus for international collaboration, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with joint operations and NATO partnerships. At the heart of the action were the F-35 Lightning IIs, fifth-generation marvels of technology that cut through the skies with their unmatched capabilities. These jets, alongside advanced threat replication techniques, painted a vivid picture of the next generation of warfare.
"Nellis is the premier battleground for simulating 'tomorrow’s' fight," proclaimed Col. David Stamps, 366th Operations Group commander, with a fire in his eyes. The exercise was more than just a test of skill; it was a demonstration of future warfare, a dance of stealth, sensor fusion, and unparalleled network connectivity, all designed to maintain air superiority and deter potential threats.
Air Commodore Johan van Deventer of the Royal Netherlands Air Force echoed this sentiment, highlighting the F-35's role not just as a weapon but as a critical information platform. "This is where we forge our capabilities together, in the crucible of Nellis, to prepare for the high-end fight," he stated, underscoring the vital importance of these exercises in honing their edge for what lies ahead.
The skies over Nellis AFB lit up as a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler pierced the night on March 18, signifying the relentless pursuit of excellence and the evolution of joint and NATO capabilities in the face of Europe's shifting security landscape.
Col. Stamps and his team didn't just fly; they crafted an intricate ballet of airpower, where every maneuver and strategy was dissected and refined. "Integrating these capabilities is key to deterring our adversaries and assuring our allies," Stamps noted, emphasizing the unparalleled opportunity Red Flag 24-2 presented for real-world collaboration and tactical innovation.
Staff Sgt Cody VanNurden's meticulous pre-flight checks on an F-16C Fighting Falcon on March 13 showcased the unparalleled dedication and expertise that underpin these exercises. It was a testament to the spirit of teamwork and precision that fuels the success of Red Flag operations.
As Col. Stamps reflected on the profound impact of these exercises, he stressed the tangible essence of the alliance, a bond forged not just in words but in the skies above Nellis. "Our alliance needs to be deeper than a piece of paper," he declared, showcasing the unity and shared victories that Red Flag 24-2 brought to life.
The Nevada Test and Training Range was more than a setting; it was the stage for an epic showcase of fifth-generation warfare, with NATO partners and U.S. forces seamlessly merging into a formidable force. "Nellis is where we prepare for 'tomorrow's' fight," Stamps affirmed, a beacon of the unmatched skill and dedication that define the United States and its allies in the quest for air dominance.
This week in aviation history
30 March 1982: On a crisp morning the Space Shuttle Columbia, also known as OV-102, gracefully concludes its third voyage into the cosmos. At precisely 9:04:46 a.m. Mountain Standard Time, or 16:04:46 in Coordinated Universal Time, it touched down at the White Sands Space Harbor, nestled within the White Sands Test Facility just west of Alamogordo, New Mexico. This moment marked a unique chapter in space exploration history, as Columbia's wheels caressed the gypsum sands of White Sands, the only occasion a shuttle ever embraced this desert runway.
Fast forward to the chilly December of 2006, during the STS-116 mission spanning from the 9th to the 22nd. White Sands Space Harbor stood on alert, ready to welcome the Discovery shuttle back to Earth, as unpredictable weather at both Kennedy and Edwards made landing uncertain. Yet, in a twist of fate, Discovery found its path clear to land at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility.
Upon its historic landing, Columbia, unfurled across 13,732 feet of desert runway, halting completely after an enduring 83 seconds. The mission clock stopped at 192 hours, 4 minutes, and 46 seconds, encapsulating the journey's length. White Sands not only played host to these pivotal moments but also served as a crucible for honing the skills of shuttle pilots. Amidst the desert, they practiced intricate approaches aboard NASA's Grumman C-11A, a Gulfstream II refashioned into a Shuttle Training Aircraft. One such aircraft, NASA 946, now resides with the Texas Air & Space Museum, a testament to its role in shuttle history.
Nestled at an elevation of 3,913 feet, the Space Harbor claims the northwest fringe of a sprawling gypsum sand desert, boasting two main runways, each 15,000 feet in length, and a colossal third runway stretching 19,800 feet, albeit without overruns. The design intricately mirrors the runways at Kennedy Space Center and Edwards Air Force Base, ensuring pilots a familiar touch down regardless of location.
Constructed from compacted natural gypsum with distinctive asphalt markings, the runways gleam under the guidance of portable xenon lights during night operations, their glow reaching 1,000 feet into the overruns. Close to their crossing lies a helipad cluster, a vigilant control tower, and an array of modern navigational aids, all testament to the facility's readiness for any scenario. Support from Holloman Air Force Base's crash and rescue teams further underscores the collaborative spirit that safeguarded these missions, making White Sands a silent yet pivotal character in the story of space exploration.
In case you missed it
Since yesterday was April Fool’s I thought I’d revisit last year’s April 1 video: What if you took the legendary F-14 and the mighty A-10 and combined them into one airframe? Well you’d have the F-24 Hogcat of course! Enjoy a video that I packed with tons of references across many mediums:
Photo Outlet
Sometimes you capture something in frame only to realize it later. I didn’t realize I caught the Thunderbird diamond as they flew directly overhead until I went home after the airshow and was reviewing the days shots:
Post Flight Debrief
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading! If you know a fellow aviation enthusiast that would enjoy these weekly newsletters, then please forward this along. If you’d like to directly support my efforts, check out my shop:
Now you know!
-Tog